Biometric garment and method of operation

ABSTRACT

A garment comprises a signal-activated fastener, embedded in the garment, which may be utilized to fastened/unfastened the garment upon receiving a signal. Similarly, an object can be secured/released to/from the signal-activated garment upon receiving a signal. The signal may be a biometric signal generated by a biometric sensor included in the signal-activated fastener. Various biometric sensors may be utilized to generate the signal, examples of which include voice, fingerprint, retinas, and irises biometric sensors. The garment may also comprise a signal-activated fastener that can be activated upon receiving other types of signals that are not biometric. Such signals include, mechanical, electrical, optical, etc. Examples of such signals include but are not limited to sound pressure, radio waves, infrared waves, and visible light waves.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application is a formalization of a previously filed, co-pending provisional patent application entitled “Biometric Garment and Method of Operation,” filed Oct. 20, 2006, as U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/853,210 by the inventor named in this application. This patent application claims the benefit of the filing date of the cited provisional patent application according to the statutes and rules governing provisional patent applications, particularly 35 USC § 119 and 37 CFR §1.78. The specification and drawings of the cited provisional patent application are specifically incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention is related to garments comprising a signal-activated fastener. In particular, the present invention relates to a garment, including a method of operating the garment, wherein the signal-activated fastener receives a signal and at least one of fastens and unfastens the garment according to the signal.

BACKGROUND

The present state of the art in using authentication systems in variety of applications is well known to skilled artisans. In particular, voice or fingerprint authentication systems are routinely utilized in security applications. The present invention combines the existing technology of authentication with an article of clothing. Specifically, the present invention is a signal-activated garment comprising a signal-activated fastener whereby the garment may be fastened or unfastened when a signal, received by the signal-activated fastener, substantially matches a predetermined signal. Various types of garments and voice-activated fasteners can be utilized. In one preferred embodiment, a brassiere comprises a signal-activated fastener whereby the brassiere may be fastened or unfastened when a biometric voice signal substantially matches a predetermined signal stored in the memory of a controller included in the signal-activated fastener. In another embodiment, an object, such as a communication device, may be secured/released to/from a signal-activated garment of the present invention.

SUMMARY

The present invention discloses a garment, including a method of operation, which comprises a signal-activated fastener whereby a signal is received and compared with a predetermined signal. Upon a substantial match between the received and predetermined signals, the garment is controllably fastened or unfastened.

In one aspect, a signal-activated garment is disclosed comprising a signal-activated fastener responsive to a signal and operative to at least one of fasten and unfasten the garment. Preferably, the signal-activated fastener comprises a sensor, a fastener, and a controller whereby the controller receives a signal, via the sensor, and generates a control signal, operative on the fastener, when the signal substantially matches a predetermined signal. Preferably, the sensor is one of a biometric, pressure, and optical sensor. Preferably, the biometric signal is one of a voice or fingerprint signal. In another aspect, a signal-activated garment is disclosed comprising a signal-activated fastener responsive to a signal and operative to at least one of fasten and unfasten an object to/from the garment.

In another aspect, a method is disclosed whereby a garment is fastened/unfastened via a signal-activated fastener. The method comprises receiving a signal via the signal-activated fastener and at least one of fastening and unfastening the garment via the signal-activated fastener according to the signal. In another aspect, a method is disclosed whereby an object is fastened/unfastened to/from a signal-activated garment via a signal-activated fastener. The method comprises receiving a signal via the signal-activated fastener and at least one of securing and releasing the object to/from the signal-activated garment via the signal-activated fastener according to the signal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows various garments 100 that may be fastened/unfastened via a signal-activated fastener according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a signal-activated brassiere 200 comprising a voice activated fastener.

FIG. 3 shows a preferred method of fastening/unfastening a garment via a signal-activated fastener according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of a signal-activated garment 400 comprising a voice activated fastener operable to secure/release an object to the garment.

FIG. 5 shows a preferred method of fastening/unfastening an object to a garment via a signal-activated fastener according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows various garments 100 that may be fastened/unfastened via a signal-activated fastener. According to the present invention, a brassiere, a belt, trousers, and a dress may be equipped with a signal-activated fastener so that they may be fastened or unfastened when a controller, included in the signal-activated fastener, ascertains a match between a received signal and a predetermined signal stored in the memory of the controller. In another embodiment of the present invention, an object, such as a weapon, communication device, article of clothing, may be secured/released to/from the garment via the signal-activated fastener.

The present invention utilizes the presently known authentication technology to arrive at a garment that maybe controllably fastened or unfastened. Voice and fingerprint identifications are among the many authentication systems presently known to skilled artisans. Voice verification is conceptually similar to fingerprinting. It is common knowledge that each person's fingerprints have unique characteristics that can be used to distinguish one person from another. It has also been proven that each person can be identified by the unique features of his or her vocal characteristics and speaking patterns. Biometric voice verification is the process of comparing a voice sample with a stored, digital voice model, or voiceprint, for the purpose of verifying identity. A voiceprint is a digital representation of some of the unique characteristics of an individual's voice, including physiological characteristics of the nasal passages and vocal chords, as well as the frequency, cadence and duration of the vocal pattern.

In one instance, a brassiere comprises a signal-activated fastener that secures the brassiere on a woman's body. A general construction of the signal-activated fastener may require a power source such as a battery, a locking/unlocking device (fastener) such as an actuator, a sensor such as a biometric sensor, and a controller coupled with the sensor and the locking/unlocking device and including a microprocessor with all the required peripherals including software, known to skilled artisan, wherein said controller is responsive to the signal generated by the sensor and operative to apply a signal to the locking/unlocking device, upon recognition of the biometric quantity, i.e., one or more intrinsic physical or behavioural traits, to close/open the brassiere.

FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a signal-activated brassiere 200 comprising a voice-activated fastener. The brassier 202 comprises a voice-activated fastener which includes a controller 204, a sensor 206, and a fastener 208. According to one preferred embodiment, the controller 204 comprises a battery as its power source and a microcontroller to process the signal received by the sensor 206. Preferably, the sensor 206 comprises a biometric sensor, such a biometric voice sensor. The controller 204 receives a voice signal via the biometric voice sensor 206, processes the signal, and compares the signal with a predetermined signal. If there is a substantial match between the two signals, the controller 204 generates a control signal, operative on the fastener 208, to controllably fasten/unfasten the brassiere 202.

In one instance, an individual, wearing the signal-activated brassiere 200, manually fastens the brassiere 202 via the fastener 208. The sensor 206 receives a voice signal, generated by another individual, and the controller 204 processes the signal and unfastens the brassiere 202 when a match is found. Accordingly, the brassiere 202 may only be automatically unfastened upon verification of the voice of the other individual. In another embodiment, the controller 204 verifies the voice signal when the other individual provides the correct password and then applies a control signal to the fastener 208 to fasten/unfasten the garment.

In another embodiment, the sensor 206 comprises a biometric sensor, such as a biometric fingerprint sensor. The controller 204 receives a fingerprint signal via the biometric fingerprint sensor 206, processes the signal, and compares the signal with a predetermined signal. If there is a substantial match between the two signals, the controller 204 generates a control signal, operative on the fastener 208, to controllably fasten/unfasten the brassiere 202.

In one instance, an individual, wearing the signal-activated brassiere 200, manually fastens the brassiere 202 via the fastener 208. The sensor 206 receives a fingerprint signal, generated by another individual, and the controller 204 processes the signal and unfastens the brassiere 202 when a match is found. Accordingly, the brassiere 202 may only be automatically unfastened upon verification of the fingerprint of the other individual.

FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram 300 of one method of fastening/unfastening a garment according to the present invention. The preferred method comprises receiving a signal, such as a biometric signal, pressure signal, optical signal, via a signal-activated fastener at 302, and at least one of fastening and unfastening the garment according to the signal at 304.

FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment 400 of a signal-activated garment 402 comprising a voice activated fastener. According to this embodiment, an object, such as a cell phone 404, may be secured/released to/from the signal-activated garment 402 via a signal activated fastener, such as a voice-activated fastener which includes a controller, such as the controller 204, a sensor, such as the sensor 206, and a fastener, such as the fastener 208. According to one preferred embodiment, the controller 204 comprises a battery as its power source and a microcontroller to process the signal received by the sensor 206. Preferably, the sensor 206 comprises a biometric sensor, such a biometric voice sensor. The controller 204 receives a voice signal via the biometric voice sensor 206, processes the signal, and compares the signal with a predetermined signal. If there is a substantial match between the two signals, the controller 204 generates a control signal, operative on the fastener 208, to controllably fasten/unfasten the cell phone 404 to the signal-activated garment 402.

In one instance, an individual, wearing the signal-activated garment 402, manually fastens the cell phone 404 via the fastener 208. The sensor 206 receives a voice signal, generated by the individual, and the controller 204 processes the signal and unfastens the cell phone 404 when a match is found. Accordingly, the cell phone 404 may only be automatically unfastened upon verification of the voice of the individual. In another embodiment, the controller 204 verifies the voice signal when the individual provides the correct password and then applies a control signal to the fastener 208 to fasten/unfasten the cell phone 404.

In another embodiment, the sensor 206 comprises a biometric sensor, such as a biometric fingerprint sensor. The controller 204 receives a fingerprint signal via the biometric fingerprint sensor 206, processes the signal, and compares the signal with a predetermined signal. If there is a substantial match between the two signals, the controller 204 generates a control signal, operative on the fastener 208, to controllably secure/release the cell phone 404 to/from the signal-activated garment 402.

In one instance, an individual, wearing the signal-activated garment 402, manually fastens the cell phone 404 via the fastener 208. The sensor 206 receives a fingerprint signal, generated by the individual, and the controller 204 processes the signal and unfastens the cell phone 404 when a match is found. Accordingly, the cell phone 404 may only be automatically unfastened upon verification of the fingerprint of the individual.

FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram 500 of one method of fastening/unfastening an object to a signal-activated garment of the present invention. The preferred method comprises receiving a signal, such as a biometric signal, pressure signal, optical signal, via a signal-activated fastener at 502, and at least one of fastening and unfastening the object to the signal-activated garment according to the signal at 304.

The foregoing explanations, descriptions, illustrations, examples, and discussions have been set forth to assist the reader with understanding this invention and further to demonstrate the utility and novelty of it and are by no means restrictive of the scope of the invention. It is the following claims, including all equivalents, which are intended to define the scope of this invention. 

1. A garment comprising a signal-activated fastener capable of receiving a signal and operative to at least one of fasten and unfasten the garment according to the signal.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment comprises one of a shirt, pants, under garment, and bra.
 3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the signal-activated fastener comprises: (a) a sensor; (b) a fastener; and (c) a controller coupled with the sensor and fastener; wherein the controller is configured to receive the signal via the sensor and to at least one of fasten and unfasten the garment, via the fastener, when the signal is verified.
 4. The garment of claim 3, wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a biometric sensor, pressure sensor, and optical sensor.
 5. The garment of claim 4, wherein the biometric sensor comprises at least one of a voice and fingerprint biometric sensor.
 6. The garment of claim 3, wherein the fastener comprises an actuator responsive to a control signal, generated by the controller upon verification of the signal, and operative to at least one of fasten and unfasten the garment.
 7. The garment of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to verify the signal when the signal substantially matches a predetermined signal.
 8. The garment of claim 7, wherein the predetermined signal is a password.
 9. A method for at least one of fastening and unfastening a garment, comprising: (a) receiving a signal, via a signal-activated fastener; and (b) at least one of fastening and unfastening the garment, via the signal-activated fastener, according to the signal.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the signal-activated fastener comprises: (a) a sensor; (b) a fastener; and (c) a controller coupled with the sensor and fastener; wherein the controller is configured to receive the signal via the sensor and to at least one of fasten and unfasten the garment, via the fastener, when the signal is verified.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein (a) comprises receiving at least one of a biometric signal, pressure signal, and optical signal.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein (b) comprises verifying the signal.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein verifying the signal comprises ascertaining a substantial match between the signal and a predetermined signal.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the predetermined signal is a password.
 15. A method for at least one of fastening and unfastening an object to a garment, comprising: (a) receiving a signal, via a signal-activated fastener; and (b) at least one of fastening and unfastening the item to the garment, via the signal-activated fastener, according to the signal.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the object is at least one of a weapon, communication device, and article of clothing.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein (a) comprises receiving at least one of a biometric signal, pressure signal, and optical signal.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein (b) comprises verifying the signal.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein verifying the signal comprises ascertaining a substantial match between the signal and a predetermined signal.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the predetermined signal is a password. 